Angel Whelan
Bio
Angel Whelan writes the kind of stories that once had her checking her closet each night, afraid to switch off the light.
Finalist in the Vocal Plus and Return of The Night Owl challenges.
Stories (107)
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The Arrivals
They found the first one in the backseat of a yellow taxicab in New York city. The driver was interviewed by Ellen and Oprah – 15 minutes of fame as they replayed the viral video again and again. He leant back in their deep couches, his silk shirt open at the neck, black hair sprouting over the top like a 70’s porn star. He threw his arms around wildly as he performed for their cameras – feigned surprise at the baby appearing where a moment before there had been none. The audience laughed, lapping it up. Critics accused him of trickery – was it staged? A CGI effect, perhaps, or an accomplice off-screen? His interviews added nothing to the story – the simple fact was, he didn’t know. Nobody did.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
The Heirloom
1996 Marty held the small locket in his stiff fingers, watching the way the light reflected on the colorful enamel. He opened the clasp, his eyes watering as he saw the photo still inside – it seemed a lifetime ago, that young, eager looking man in his air force uniform smiling up at him. She’d kept it all this time – tucked in her drawer alongside the letters he’d sent her. Their whole wartime romance reduced to a small bundle tied up in blue ribbon. It was too sad.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
De-Unification
We were digging up the potatoes when Maggie-Mae collapsed. She slipped silently to the ground between the neat green rows - I don’t think anyone else saw. I didn’t want to draw attention, so I kept digging as I moved closer to her position, near enough to see she was still breathing. Her soft, gray hair clung damply to her cheeks, and she made a rasping, phlegmy sound with each shallow breath. It was clear she was unfit for work.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
The Klaxons Sounded
Dad and Eddie built the shelter in June 2037. They worked all summer long, using blasting caps to blow a chunk out of the hillside behind our house. Dad borrowed excavators from work, clearing the rubble aside, piling it up to conceal the entrance.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
Almost Perfect
Everybody knew it was a terrible idea. Even the President looked unsure, when he announced the go-ahead for the new magma-fueled power station. And with his grades in school, chances are he had no idea what he was talking about anyway. Finally, people of the world came together, Christians and Muslims, Whites and Blacks, Women and Men, united in the absolute agreement that this was a no good, very bad thing.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
The Many Deaths of Deacon
Pain, so much pain! My bones are on fire, I can’t think… Feels like a damned elephant is sitting on my chest! where’s that bloody nurse? What kind of circus are they running here, anyway? I need my pain meds, this doesn’t feel right, not right, no… oh no, oh no! I’m not ready to die!
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
Talisman
Day 118, Sol 2240 45° 40' 37.192" N 111° 2' 34.562" W (Bozeman, Montana) We moved locations today, five miles closer to the epicenter. Clean-up is going well. Fewer bodies, this far into the perimeter. The pyroclastic flow took out most of them, which is significantly less messy than the ash and pumice we found further south. Less digging, some of the houses are still intact. We will probably be done here within the day, Sol willing.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Fiction
Dress up isn't just for kids
I always loved dressing up. When I met my future husband we were 17, and I was so excited to finally have a companion as crazy as I was! We dressed as Dracula and the bride of Dracula for our May Ball. It wasn't a fancy dress ball - that's just how we roll.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Families
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The very first day in Philadelphia I became friends with the local kids. They all naturally congregate around our porch because we are in the middle of the block and have a double set of stairs with our next-door neighbors. It was so nice to receive their warm welcome, and I quickly became very fond of my 'porch kids'. I quickly realized it wasn't always very safe to live in our neighborhood, as we often heard gunshots nearby and all the kids would freeze, head on one side, waiting to find out if it was gunfire or fireworks. It is sad that they became such audial experts. I bought a big, child-friendly dog who they could all cuddle when they were scared or sad. Great Pyrenees are excellent with children, and very protective. Kiyoko loved nothing more than being cuddled, but barked to scare away any unknown adults who came near her children.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Families
Snippets of love
I had been sewing for a few years when I saw beautiful quilts on display at the local fabric store. I was in awe - how amazing that someone could attach tiny pieces of fabric together and create art from nothing! I decided I needed to make my first quilt.
By Angel Whelan5 years ago in Geeks
